Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“I’m fine, Tim. Make sure to take good care of your wife. She’s expecting, after all,” Laura advised.
Laura subtly guided Mia’s hand toward Timothy. Mia hesitated for a moment, contemplating pulling away.
However, Timothy instinctively took hold of Mia’s hand. His strong grip heightened her discomfort, especially under the watchful gaze of Maya.
Laura expressed contentment, saying, “Alright, you two take care of each other.”
Hearing Laura’s words, Mia avoided meeting her eyes.
They exited the hospital room, leaving Mia feeling incredibly awkward. She hadn’t intended to hold Timothy’s hand.
Sharon quickly approached them. “Mia, let go of his hand! There’s no need for this act now.”
Their hands were promptly separated, and Mia stepped aside.
Out of the blue, Maya approached, linking her arm with Mia’s. “Ms. Bowen, would you mind having a chat with me?”
Maya’s sudden approach caught Mia off guard, sending a ripple of discomfort through her.
What move could Maya attempt to pull off next?
Mia withdrew her arm with a cold expression, suggesting some distance might be wise.
“Even if you and Tim part ways, there’s no reason we can’t remain amicable,” Maya retorted.
A glint of irony lit up Mia’s eyes as she remarked, “Ms. Lane, have you ever seen someone befriend the ¡®other woman¡®?”
At the mention of “the other woman,” Maya’s expression instantly darkened.
However, under the watchful eyes of Timothy and Grandma Laura, Maya swiftly shifted to feigned vulnerability. “Mia, why the animosity? I truly desire harmony among us all.”
Without missing a beat, Sharon jumped to Maya’s defense, casting a reproachful glance at Mia.
“Mia, have you no shame? Look at Mia’s generosity. Who are you to label her as ¡®the other woman¡®?” Sharon reprimanded.
“Had you not intervened, Maya might have been my daughter¨Cin¨Claw by now. Imagine, three years have elapsed. They could’ve even had a couple of kids!” she continued.
With irony in her gaze, Mia retorted, “Well then, here’s to a joyful union and a speedy start to family life. Would that be satisfactory?”
Sharon’s persistence flared when Mia began to walk away.
“Hold it, Mia! What’s with this hostility? My son is on the brink of proposing to Maya. If you dare to cause any trouble, I won’t let you off the hook,” Sharon warned sharply.
Timothy intervened. “That’s enough.”
Hearing this, Sharon restrained herself from saying more. “Tim, Mia just dropped by with some food for
Grandma. Keep an eye on her. We can’t afford any slip¨Cups in front of Grandma.¡®
A shadow crossed Timothy’s face. “There won’t be any,” he asserted firmly.
Before Sharon could push further, Maya gently restrained her. “Mrs. Barrett, I have faith in Tim’s discretion.
After all, we’re all here with Grandma’s best interests in mind.”
“Maya seems more level¨Cheaded,” Sharon remarked. “Tim, perhaps you could accompany her to choose wedding dresses?”
A flicker of anticipation illuminated Maya’s eyes as she awaited Timothy’s response. Yet, he remained impassive. “I’m occupied. Let’s not forget, this is merely a facade.”
Timothy turned to Maya. “When can we expect Connor?” he inquired.
Mia responded with tension, “Soon.”
Sharon shared the news about the surgery being scheduled at the end of the upcoming month. Maya sighed in relief. “That’s fine. Connor will be available by the end of the month.”
The extended timeframe provided Maya with a broader window to convince Connor.
“Tim, after consulting with an astrologer, I’ve learned that a favorable date is approaching next week. How do you feel about getting engaged to Maya on that particular day?” Sharon inquired.
Timothy’s face remained unreadable. “It doesn’t matter.”
With those terse words, he exited the room, leaving behind a fleeting look of apprehension on Maya’s face.
Sensing Maya’s unease, Sharon reassured her, “Don’t worry. Once we’re free from Mia’s interference, what began as a pretend engagement might very well turn genuine.”
“And when that happens, you must ensure all your brothers are present for the ceremony,” she said.
Maya, trying to exude confidence, affirmed, “If I’m getting engaged, they’ll be there without a doubt.”
With this development, Maya had secured half of her objective.
If Connor agreed to conduct the surgery, her path to marrying Timothy would likely unfold seamlessly.
As Mia left the hospital, a heavy sense of despondency weighed on Mia.
Despite the summer season, an unshakeable chill seemed to surround her.
As the weekend neared, Mia found herself predominantly confined to her studio. The consistent blast of cold air from the air conditioning left her feeling as though she was on the verge of catching a cold.
As Mia geared up for some much¨Cneeded rest, the unmistakable click of Wilhelmina’s heels echoed through the room.
Without hesitation, Wilhelmina handed Mia a document and instructed, “Please ensure this reaches its designated destination. Should the client express dissatisfaction, take the necessary steps to make replacements.”
Mia skimmed the contents of the file before questioning, “Isn’t this something you should be handling?”
Wilhelmina retorted, “Indeed, it falls under my responsibilities. However, urgent matters demand my attention at the moment.”
“Besides, considering you’ve been on duty throughout the entire weekend, it seems fitting for you to manage this. We can’t have someone merely drawing a salary without contributing, can we?” she said snidely.
With that, Wilhelmina briskly departed.
Mia sighed softly, thinking that once she completed this assignment, she could finally head home and rest.
She sipped from a cup of warm water, feeling its warmth spread through her, providing a sense of relief.
Hailing a taxi, Mia directed the driver to a luxurious villa complex.
At the designated house, she was greeted by a maid who opened the door.
“Hello, I’m from Elite Studio,” Mia introduced herself, “I’ve come to check if the homeowner is pleased with the interior furnishings we provided.”
“Please, follow me,” the maid replied.
As Mia trailed behind, she stepped into a lavish living room. Instantly, her eyes were drawn to a radiant white wedding dress displayed at the room’s center.
“Is this real?” Mia asked incredulously. “This stunning bridal gown is a masterpiece from Lulu Vuitton’s exclusive collection¨Ca globally limited edition, with this being the sole piece.” ?
With an air of pride, Shelly emerged, declaring, “This is the very wedding dress Maya selected for her engagement.
“Isn’t it breathtaking? You’d need to toil your entire life just to afford a single diamond embellishment on it.”
When Mia saw Shelly, the pieces finally clicked, and she understood why Wilhelmina had urgently summoned her to the scene. Everything started to make sense.
Descending the staircase with a smile, Maya intervened, “Shelly, let’s not exaggerate. It’s just a dress.
“I intend to have a bespoke gown tailored for the actual wedding. This was merely a hasty choice given the circumstances.”
Gathering herself, Mia addressed Maya professionally, “Ms. Lane, are you content with the recent renovations?
Maya and Shelly seemed to be indulging in a display of extravagance.
A sense of unease crept over Mia, prompting her to avoid getting caught up in their antics.
Taking the documents from Mia, Maya remarked, “Tim and I have given this considerable thought. We’ve decided to relocate as a proactive measure, thus the choice to renovate a new residence.”
Mia kept her expression neutral, her eyes averting slightly.
Maya was taken aback by Mia’s nonchalant response, especially considering the significant effort she had put into gaining Timothy’s approval for their engagement.
She was convinced that many of the challenges and frustrations she’d encountered stemmed from Mia.
Yet, Mia’s behavior now seemed like a purposeful display of indifference.
Maya pressed on, “While the furnishings from your company meet our expectations to a degree, there are certain areas that require attention.
“Specifically, the photo wall meant for displaying wedding memories doesn’t match our vision. Also, the mattress designated for our bridal bed lacks the desired level of comfort and support. Could you arrange for modifications in these areas?”
“Certainly. I’ll ensure our designer addresses these concerns promptly,” Mia replied.
“Mia, we must settle these matters today,” Shelly emphasized.
“Come with us to pick out a suitable bed. After we finalize the choice, you’ll be responsible for its delivery. You do understand that earning your paycheck necessitates some effort on your end, right?” Shelly remarked.
Mia had an inkling that navigating this situation with Shelly and Maya would be quite the challenge.